Tempest by Nick Kyme

Author:Nick Kyme
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-01-03T15:11:12+00:00

XI

‘Damn it, Ardal! Answer me!’

Regara had marched out of the Volpone camp and into the shadow-haunted trench line with all four hundred men in the reserve. By allowing himself to be ordered around by the scions, he had failed Culcis and he had failed those men under the lieutenant’s command.

Never venture into battle without knowing one’s enemy.

It was virtually creed where the major had undergone his training. Volpone were not just the best because their drill-sergeants were tougher, because they had the finest equipment their royal houses could afford or even because their superior breeding elevated them above ordinary men.

Victory was second nature to them, it was expected of them, because they left as little as possible to chance. The Volpone were a pragmatic people. Fate did not shape their destinies, they did, and their arrogance concerning that fact was wholly justified.

In kowtowing to Prime Ardal, Regara had not only ignored his better judgement, he had gone against his very heritage and culture. That required redress. It would be enacted now.

‘Ardal, you whoreson!’ Regara yelled down the vox, spitting fury. He had been at it for several minutes, his voice reduced to a grating bark. Speers stayed by his commanding officer’s side throughout, carrying the vox and maintaining lockstep with the major. So far, static was his only response, the growing sense of impotence only fuelling Regara’s deepening ire.

‘You lied about the hub. I know about the blood-witch, Ardal. Prove to me you’re a real soldier and–’

Ardal’s voice manifested on the other end of the link, interrupting Regara’s impassioned tirade.

‘I suggest you hold your ground, Regara. That’s a bludvayne out there in the darkness, not some Sanguinary tribal hag, but something the likes of which you will never have faced.’

‘You bastard, Ardal. You knew that and let me march my men in there without proper warning.’

‘You have Klaye,’ Ardal replied, dismissively. ‘The primaris will keep your men from dying too quickly.’

‘And yours won’t take a scratch.’

‘Oh, I doubt that, major, but they appreciate the risks. You’re not seeing the broader perspective.’

‘Perspective? I see perfectly well, both broad and narrow.’

Ardal scoffed.

‘No. You don’t. The bludvayne is a priority alpha target, and I would gladly sacrifice every First Son I have in the field to effect this mission. I have twenty-five men deployed in four strike squads. Just so we understand each other, each First Son is the equal of fifty of your Volpone. Perspective, major. Now, do your job and hold back the men you still have.’

‘With respect, sir,’ said Regara genially, ‘up yours.’

The major severed the link.

‘Corporal Speers,’ he said, removing his cap to smooth down his hair in order to affect an air of absolute command and composure, ‘bring us out, double-time if you will. I’m not leaving Volpone to die in this crap hole.’

Speers bellowed down the line. Trumpet clarions answered a moment later, and the Volpone marched with all haste.

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